Is a house unsellable with this problem?

[Firsttimemumpregnant]

DH just inherited a very large Victorian property from his family. Amazing location, lovely modern interiors in main living areas, no damp, active fireplaces in main sitting rooms etc. The only problem is there are two small guest bedrooms (out of 6) with a very recognizable slant and DH is very pessimistic about being able to sell it. He says it would put off any potential buyer. We have had a thorough structural survey and the structural engineer concluded that it's historic settlement and nothing to worry about from a structural standpoint.
We have spoken to a few builders and it seems it is possible to fix it but obviously not minor work.

I did hear that lots of period properties are slanted so wanted to get some opinions - is DH right? Is it impossible to sell? I feel as though he is being very subjective about it but not too sure as I haven't sold any houses myself before.

If it's structurally sound then it will sell. You might get lower offers than if the rooms had been levelled though.

How much were you quoted for the remedial work? Also, have you had the house valued? I'd balance up the costs and what the estate agents say about values before making any decision.

Older properties especially Victorian era do have the tendency to slant - no issues if the structural surveyor hasn’t raised any problems, adds the character to the house. Obviously not to everyone’s taste but someone will buy it…

Not sure what the options are? You won't know until you try. Almost everything sells for the right price, even terrible properties and it sounds like this is lovely! People who want period properties will accept slanty rooms, if there are no structural issues. I bought a 16th century cottage which has mega slanty rooms! What is putting people off period properties at the moment is having to do structural repairs at a time when construction costs are massive. So if yours doesn't need that it is likely to sell. I would be putting it on the market and then if it doesn't sell look at doing the work.

Our house (built 1890s) had original settlement and a crack along the plastered wall. In order to get a mortgage we needed to get structural engineering work done even though the report said it was structurally sound and not at risk of falling down.
Some house insurance companies lump settlement in with subsidence and won’t insure us… but most have been fine. Been here over 20 years and extended the house etc. No issues.

Everything will sell for the right price. If the rooms are small, someone might decide to create 2 really great storage rooms instead of doing remedial work and using them as bedrooms.

My neighbours' 400 year old farmhouse - their whole upstairs is wonky, you can't walk down the landing without feeling drunk. Didn't stop it selling twice in 8 years.

My 1911 house has settlement and some of the tops of the interior door frames are noticeably sloping.

I got a structural engineer to assess it and he concluded it is differential settlement that probably happened soon after the house was built. Basically, the walls that surround the cellar have deeper foundations than ones that don't so different parts of the house settle different amounts. I still get diagonal cracks above door frames but he said that these were due to expansion and shrinkage of the ground due to normal variations in the water content and were not considered a structural defect.

I asked if an insurance company would have concerns and he said not. He used to work for insurance loss adjusters so has experience.

He also said, don't flag it up to any potential buyers; wait to see if they say anything and if they do give them a copy of his report. And tell them to stock up on polyfilla!

Depending on ceiling height the new owners can level the floor. It may make the doorways look off but it's cheaper than doing whatever else has been suggested.
However I've also had to do structural support work even though an engineer has said it wasn't necessary. I wondered why I had to pay for his report if it was going to be disregarded! Anyway, this is what surveys are for and of course it will sell.

I used to work in an office like that. It was just part of its charm. If you’re buying an older property you expect some quirks. I wouldn’t rectify it unless you get feedback suggesting it’s necessary

Everything sells at the right price.

I think unless the locality is known for landslips / subsidence / old mineworkings / sinkholes, then it should be okay. Local estate agents would know about that.

Developers round here would buy it, flatten it and build 4 houses in its place.

If he hates it so much I'll have it 😀I imagine some buyers would love that, adds to the character. If he's that bothered, get a builders quote to fix it, and ask the estate agents if it's worth it.

I would probably pay more for wonky.